Dayak Onion (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr)

Dayak Onion (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr) is a special crop Central Kalimantan. This plant has for generations used the Dayak community as a medicinal plant. This plant has rooted red color with ribbon-shaped green leaves and white flowers. Dayak onions originated in the United Tropik but in Indonesia have long cultivated. Re kept as ornamental plants, then transformed into wild plants. Abound in the mountains between 600 up to 1500 m above sea level, for example on-farm plantations of tea, quinine and rubber, as well as on the streets. This plant prefers open places with humus-rich soil and moist enough. To plant commonly used source. Dayak onion in Java seldom bear fruit and kept as ornamental plants . This plant is easily cultivated, cultivation is not in season and within 2 to 3 months after planting already harvested.

Botanical classificationThe names of plants Dayak onions are:Kingdom: PlantaeDivision: SpermatophytaSub Division: AngiospermaeClass: MonocotyledonaeOrder: LilialesFamily: IridaceaeGenus: EleutherineSpecies: Eleutherine palmifolia Merr.This plant has a name Eleutherine palmifolia kind Merr. and a name synonymous Eleutherine plicata Herb. and Eleutherine americana (Aubl.) Merr.District Name

Grandfathers onions are commonly known in Indonesia by the name of the ship onions and wild onion in the Bulletin Malesiana Flora . In addition to general plant onions Grandfathers name also has several regional names namely onions Grandfathers (Palangkaraya, Samarinda); onions ghost / kambe (Dayak); onions sabrang, babawangan beureum, onions siyem (Sunda); brambang sabrang, luluwan beef, sabrang Puzzle (Java); onions distant (Malay) and onion lubak (Punan Lisum).

Plant Morphology

This plant has many varieties with diverse shapes and types such as onion, garlic and a variety of other types of onions. Specific features of this plant are bright red root crops with a very smooth surface. Place the leaves in pairs with double fins leaf composition. Type line bone leaf margin in line with the smooth and shaped ribbon-shaped leaves form a line. Besides being used as a medicinal plant crops can also be used as an ornamental plant because of beautiful flowers with alluring white color.

These plants form a merumpun chronic terna very strong, eventually the large clumps. High only reached 26 to 50 cm. The stem grows upright or bow, cone-shaped bulbous and red color. The leaves are of two kinds, namely the perfect tape-shaped with pointy end of it, while others shaped leaves resemble sticks. The flowers form a single flower, white in color, found in the armpit-armpit leaves, the flower clumps ranging from 4 to 10 flowers. The flowers bloom by late afternoon, at 5 to 7 hours of afternoon and then close back. Fruit ellipsoid with its box-shaped recessed the end of it. When ripe split into 3 cavities filled with numerous seeds. Form the seed round or nearly square eggs. Tubers resemble shallots but it does not smell.

Chemical content

Dayak onion crops have phytochemicals among other alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, steroids and tannins that are a source of nutrients biofarmaka potential to be developed as a modern medicinal plants for human life. Alkaloids are organic compounds that contain nitrogen as part of a heterocyclic. Even compounds alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides and saponins have hypoglycemic activity or lowering blood glucose levels are very beneficial for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, but no alkaloids can function as anti-microbial. While there is tannin content can be used as a stomach ache remedy.

Traditional use and effects of Pharmacology

Dayak are empirically onion local community as a drug used various kinds of diseases such as breast cancer, high blood pressure-lowering medication (hypertension), diabetes (diabetes mellitus), lowering cholesterol, medication ulcers, colon cancer and stroke prevention. Dayak can use onions used in fresh form, simplicia, confectionery and in powder form (powder). Dayak onion potential as a medicinal plant very large multi-function needs to be increased its use as an ingredient of modern medicine.

Broth or noticed its source is known to have all sorts of nutrients. Grass-roots below ground elongated oval-shaped and red is used as diureticum (laxative bladder), purgans (laxative) and missiles vomiting. Tubers roasted or boiled water that is used as remedy for jaundice and sexually transmitted diseases. Pounded the grass with fennel pulasari, used as a remedy for diarrhea blood, boiling water as a potion inside. The leaves are crushed with other ingredients spiked drunk to women childbirth. Grass (single) to cure dysentery. Soup made by boiling red grass with chicken can be used to increase red blood cells. Root boiled in water and used for bathing / immersion newborns with jaundice.

As a cancer drug by dry grass and chewing. While the resultant benefits Dayak onions and ginger, nutritious food to improve stamina / vitality, strengthen the resilience of sperm. Treat low back pain, urine and overcome launch bronchitis and cough. If mixed with sadaguri and kencur, this Dayak onion nutrition can treat intestinal inflammation, heartburn, constipation, hepatitis and liver. Dayak onion is even if mixed with an identity netherlands and nutritious sleigh to lose weight or losing weight (obesity) and lower in fat. For women, these onions can also be beneficial as a sari rapet if mixed with chili Java. Also beneficial to overcome interference childbirth, clean uterus, vagina tighten, tighten your stomach and reduce the fat and so on. Herbal onion outstanding Dayak especially in Samarinda has got permission in any form of POM station Jakarta.

Dayak onion crops combined with other herbs proven to overcome the many other complaints of prostate disease, cancer cysts, breast / uterine, menstrual disorders, gout, muscle & joint pain (arthritis), low back pain, dyspepsia (pain, nausea, bloating), intestinal inflammation, ulcer, gastritis, and hepatitis lever disorders, urinary disorders (not smooth, pain /-Anyang Anyang, blood), diabetes, hypertension, obesity (overweight), sexual harassment (erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, lack of desire), astma / bronkhitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, mumps, liming, retards aging and rejuvenation of cells and metabolism in the body, stamina, and vitality (sports / work), immune system, as well as nutritious as anti-infection, anti-bacterial, anti-bacterial , anti-inflammatory and cleansing the blood.

Costus speciosus (pacing), natural herbal contraceptive

Medicinal plants - Pacing. Costus speciosus (Koenig) J.E. Smith.
CLASSIFICATION: Pacing called Costusspeciosus (Koenig) or Costus loureiri Horan belongs to the plant family Zingiberaceae. This plant is known by the name of the Tabar-Tabar, setawar, fresh flour, lingkuwas or muri-muri.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES: This plant is rich in a variety of chemical constituents are already known, al:
Rhizomes and seeds contain diosgenin (Sapogeninsteroid), tigogenin, dioscin, gracillin, sitostrol, methyltriacontane, 8-hydroxutriacontan-25-one, 5alfa-stimast-9 (11)-en3beta, 24-hydroxytriacontan dan24-26-one-27-hydroxyhentriacontan -one. The chemical content of the above is the raw material contraceptive drugs (anti-pregnancy)
EFFECTS pharmacological: In Chinese pharmacology bersifatmasam mentioned that this plant, spicy, cool, slightly toxic (poisonous). Laxative urine (diuretic), anti-toxic, relieve itching (anti-pruritic), laxative sweat (anti-pyretic).
PLANT PART USED: pharmacological effects are obtained from the use of rhizomes. Once washed, cut into thin, steamed, dried. Raw Bulbs: toxic. Also used the trunk as well.
DISEASE THAT CAN BE HEALED AND METHOD OF USE
Based on the literature that records the experience of generations from different countries and regions, this plant can cure diseases as follows:
1. Nephriticedema, urine sedikit.Pacing 30 gr, cynanchumpaniculatum boiled, drinking.
2. Prevent pregnancy. Dried rhizome 10 grams plus 1 fruit simmering pace, after a cold drink. Drink every day for 10 days after menstruation.
3. Bitten by a snake. Pacing 1 stalk, washed and finely ground, give water to 2 tablespoons salt. Feelings drinking water, the waste is to plaster bite wounds and bandaged, 2 times a day.
4. Swelling due to kidney disease. Pacing 15 grams of boiled, drinking.
5. Eczema, hives. Godok pacing enough to wash.
6. Inflammation of the eye. Trunk pacing 3 fingers, washed and finely ground and then squeezed and filtered. The water dripped into the eyes to the pain, 3-4 times per day 2 drops.
7. washing and improve hair growth. Stems and young leaves until finely ground into pulp, condensed one night, use for washing and improve hair growth.
8. Distended abdomen (ascites), and swelling (edema). Crushed red bulbs and wrapped in silk fabric, tie at the navel. The disease will be out with water tract.
9. Shrinkage of the liver (cirrhosis), whooping cough (pertussis) and urinary tract infections.
Dried rhizome 3-10 grams of boiled, drinking.
Note: Pregnant women and those with weak digestive prohibited use.
Side effects: toxic raw rhizome, overdosing will cause symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. If there is interference in the above, it is recommended to chew 6 grams of cinnamon (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) and swallow the juice.

We offer cooperation to market the herb kalimantan abroad with better quality in the form of raw materials to manufacture herbal products. Our address: City of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia 76118 Phone: +6285247298457 Email: intergentle@ymail.com

Chickweed - Stellaria media

This is one of my favorite little medicinal plants. Once I  realized what it had to offer, I thought back to all those times I used to pull this "weed" out of my flower beds wondering, what in the world is this and how can I keep it from growing back! Since that time, chickweed has become my go to plant for just about any skin issue.  

Plant description and where to find it 

The light green leaves are small, oval shaped with pointed tips. The
leaves are smooth but yet at times can be slightly hairy.
Slender stems stretch along the ground forming a dense mat 
anywhere from 1 to 10 inches tall. It has tiny white flowers. Each flower has 5 petals that are lobed. Lobed is like having a cut in the individual petal which gives it the appearance of having 2 petals and not just one. Hence, with chickweed, 5 petals looking like it has 10. 


Chickweed grows in a wide variety of habitats and soil textures. It's one of the most common plants found in yards. (No wonder it was always growing in my veggie and flower beds.) You can also find it in fields, pastures and along the roadside. This plant loves cooler weather so start looking for it as early as April and into the early summer months, then to reappear again in the late fall and in some areas throughout the winter months.  

Parts used: leaves, stems and flowers

Medicinal properties: diuretic, lymphatic, nutritive, anti-viral, anti-bacterial 

High in nutrients. Delicious when mixed with other greens in a salad or made into an herbal infusion
High in saponins; regulates blood sugar, reduces internal inflammation.

 As a lymphatic cleanse, chickweed tea or an herbal infusion is commonly taken in the spring to aide in stimulating and clearing toxins from the body. 

As a diuretic, the medicinal properties release excess water from your body through an increased urine flow. (Makes you pee more) This process flushes out bacteria from the kidneys and urinary tract system, helping to relieve painful urination and inflammation associated with urinary tract infections. Although not commonly used to "treat" UTI's, but rather, to soothe the symptoms.

Chickweed has a cooling effect on red, itchy, inflamed skin associated with poison ivy, poison oak, bee stings, bug bites, minor burns, eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, minor cuts, scratches, boils, rashes and just about anything else that has to do with issues with the skin.            

chickweed loves cool weather

Regarding the eczema and psoriasis; any preparation whether it be herbal or pharmaceutical is really not going to address these types of skin issues head on and will only offer temporary relief. These particular skin issues need to be dealt with from the inside out as well as outside in. 

There is a root cause to the symptoms. It could be from food allergies, a chemical allergy from laundry detergents, soaps, shampoos and lotions. Emotional and or mental stress can also be the cause. 

Another area to look into would be diet. On a daily basis, the body needs a good amount of water to stay hydrated; healthy fats, vitamins and nutrients from fruits, vegetables, nuts and or seeds in order to "feed" the skin from the inside out. So be sure to address the root cause/s in conjunction with any treatment you are using. 👌

Chickweed can also help in drawing out splinters. You can try this by simmering some fresh chickweed in water for 1- 2 hours. Stain the liquid, be sure to keep the plant as well. Soak a cloth in the liquid then squeeze out gently. Be sure to leave a good amount of the liquid left in your cloth. You can wrap the cloth around the area of the splinter just as is or you can take some of the plant you saved and lay that across the area first and then wrap your soaked cloth around the area. Replace this every 1-2 hours until you can see that the splinter has come to the surface enough to where you can safely pull it out. 

* In acute ophthalmia, the bruised leaves will likewise be found a valuable application.            ~King’s American Dispensatory

* An ointment, made by bruising the recent leaves in fresh lard, may be used as a cooling application to erysipelatous and other forms of ulceration, as well as in many forms of cutaneous disease (J King). ~ King’s American Dispensatory

* A tincture of Stellaria media has been extolled in some quarters as a remedy for rheumatic pains of a fugitive and shifting character.
 ~ King’s American Dispensatory

A couple summers ago, I was using a loofah sponge. If you're familiar with one you know how the edges can be somewhat scratchy. I managed to scratch my arm with the edge of the sponge. A couple days later I noticed that the scratch was becoming infected. I used other forms of ointments, however, it kept getting worse and worse. I finally went out and gathered some fresh chickweed and simmered it in water for about 2 hours. I then took some of the plant out of the water and laid it across the infected area on my arm. Then I took an ace bandage and soaked that in the chickweed liquid then wrapped that around the chickweed I had placed on my arm. I replaced the plant and re-soaked the bandage every 2 hours throughout the day. I did this for just one day. 2 days later, I could hardly tell where that infected scratch was on my arm. 😀


My granddaughter, when she gets into poison ivy or gets a bug bite, her skin swells up and is very painful to the touch and itches like crazy. I'll apply chickweed infused oil on her skin every couple of hours. For her, it's usually the next day and the bug bites or the poison ivy is pretty much all cleared up. Now, I'm not saying that it will work this fast for everyone. But I do know from experience how it works for me and my family.

**  For additional information check out Dr. John R. Christopher's research on chickweed.